First things first; it is my pleasure to welcome all of you reading the very first edition of the new and improved school newsletter. Over the last number of years, student participation in the newsletter was somewhat curtailed due to COVID-19. However, now that restrictions have been lifted, that is no longer the case.

Since September 2022, Mr. J Burgess, Mr. Stafford and Mr. Coughlan have been collaborating with a team of students to ensure that the collective student voice is heard through the newsletter. A school podcast has also been launched to diversify and update the manner in which that student voice is broadcast. I look forward to seeing what our talented students produce over the next few months and the coming years. Well done to all involved!

Now, I want to extend a very warm, if belated, welcome back to our staff, students and the extended school community. I would also like to give a warm welcome to those who are joining us at Clonkeen for the first time. I bid a fond farewell to the Leaving Certificate students of 2022. They should be extremely proud of themselves for showing resilience and determination in the face of adversity over the last number of years. Not only did they survive, but they also thrived. Additionally, a very well done to our Junior Cycle students of 2022 who achieved excellent grades in their exams. All the teachers who guided, advised and taught either, or both, of these state examination year groups should be proud of their achievements.

Finally, I would like to share how enjoyable and satisfying it has been to see the school back in full swing this academic school year. I would like to thank members of the entire school community for their selfless efforts over the last few years to ensure that our school continued to provide an excellent education to all our boys.

It is so heart-warming to see the positive interactions between our students and staff. Well done and thank you, also, to everyone on the amazing efforts outside the classroom with the myriad of extracurricular activities the school offers. Now, we look forward to the remainder of the school year with great ambition and excitement.